First impressions matter in sports and can cement player memories among fans, illustrated by J.P. Arencibia's lasting recognition. Shane Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young winner, is set to debut for the Blue Jays in Miami. Highly anticipated debuts combine hype and expectation as much as career outcomes, so quiet but great debuts like Chris Carpenter or Carlos Delgado are not included. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed as a 16-year-old international free agent in July 2015, sparking big future expectations. Guerrero debuted on April 26, 2019 at third base, batting fifth, going 1-for-4 with a first-career double in a 4-2 win.
First impressions matter in sports - it's why Blue Jays fans still remember who J.P. Arencibia is (beyond his 2013 Masterclass on how NOT to catch a knuckleballer). And as 2020 Cy Young Winner Shane Bieber prepares to make his Blue Jays debut on Friday in Miami, it's an opportunity to look back at some of the more memorable introductions over the past few decades.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. When the Blue Jays signed Vladdy Jr. as a 16-year-old international free agent in July of 2015, it allowed fans the chance to dream big about the future - unaware that in just a few weeks, a couple of Hail Mary deadline deals would catapult the team into their first post-season race in two decades. Following those two exciting runs of 2015 and 2016,
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